iFi redesigned their quite successful iTube with new parts and new circuitry (only the GE5670 tube remains), using trickle-down technology from the flagship “Pro” series, to offer the new micro iTube2, a tubed output stage, tube preamp, tube buffer and an impedance-matching device, all in one.
The micro iTube2 offers three user-selectable modes of operation, with different key sonic signatures, the Single-Ended Triode mode, the Push-Pull mode and the classic tube mode. Needless to say, iFi says that there is no "right’ setting" and the user should experiment with different settings, according to his system synergy and listening preferences. The device, also, includes the XBass+ matrix for Speakers circuit, in a new and improved version. According to the published details, XBass+ for Speakers is quite different to its sister technology XBass+ for Headphones, the former giving adjustable levels of bass control to enhance listening through loudspeakers that have limited bass extension. There are two settings, 20 Hz (6dB), for loudspeakers missing only the lowest bass notes (below 40Hz) and 20 Hz (12dB), for loudspeakers missing some bass notes (below 80Hz) and an off setting, as well. There is also a matrix circuit called the 3D Holographic+ matrix for Speakers, drawn from the original ground-breaking work of Alan Blumlein, that corrects the fundamental spatial distortion in recordings and increases the width of the soundstage beyond that of the speaker placement. 3D Holographic+ offers two modes, the 30°+, which adds an extra 30° to redress the narrow placement of speakers (e.g., either side of a PC monitor) and the “+”, which recreates the original width of the soundstage and is the recommended default setting. The user can always switch the circuit off.
The iTube2, in-line with the latest iFi products, is direct-coupled, using no output coupling capacitor for the purest, most direct signal path while its circuitry and components have been radically changed and it now is more closely connected to the Pro iCAN. The iTube2 employs Japan TDK C0G type capacitors, explicitly designed for audio use with extremely low distortion (<0.00001% ref. 1V/10kHz), ELNA Silmic capacitors and the new iPOWER (15V) which is a remarkable-quiet, advanced DC power supply with low audio band noise floor of just 1uV, iFi states.